Top 10 countries that have officially changed their names in history

By TravelWiseFeb 15, 2024 13:50 PMNews
Share:
There are countries in the world that have decided to change their name in the past. Source: newsbytesapp.com

There are countries in the world that have changed their names throughout their history. The real boom in country renaming occurred in the second half of the last century, when a large number of newly independent states emerged in the world and changed their names, saying goodbye to the colonial past.

Here is an overview of countries that have officially changed their names in the past. What provoked this and why they chose this particular name, writes the News Bytes website.

Sri Lanka and Myanmar

The island nation of Ceylon proclaimed itself a republic in 1972, changing its name to Sri Lanka, which means "shining land" in Sinhala and emphasizes the country's natural beauty. The nation sought to more accurately reflect its multicultural identity and distance itself from its colonial past under British rule.

Meanwhile, Myanmar became the official name of the country in 1989, replacing Burma, reflecting linguistic accuracy.

Iran and Turkey

Iran received its current name from Persia in 1935. This was done by Reza Shah, a military officer who became the Shah in 1925 after overthrowing the previous Qajar dynasty with the support of Great Britain.

More recently, in 2022, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan officially changed the country's name from Turkey to Turkiye to reflect the country's vibrant culture, values, and civilization.

The Netherlands and North Macedonia

North Macedonia became the new name of Macedonia in 2019. This change ended a long-running dispute with Greece, which had problems with the use of the term "Macedonia" because it also has a region of that name.

In 2019, the Dutch chose the name "Netherlands" instead of "Holland". This was reportedly a marketing strategy aimed at changing the country's reputation internationally.

Cambodia and Thailand

Siam was the official name of Thailand until 1939, when it was changed. This move was an attempt to assert the country's unity and identity in response to growing Western colonial influence in Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, Cambodia, due to its complex history, has had several different names over the years, including the Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, the State of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Czech Republic and Eswatini

The Czech Republic adopted the name Czech Republic in 2016 to make it easier for businesses and sports teams to use it on goods and clothing.

Similarly, in 2018, the African country of Swaziland renamed itself Eswatini, which translates to "Land of the Swazis." This change was aimed at matching the language of the country's indigenous people and eliminating ambiguity in relations with Switzerland.

Top Articles

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News

May Rail Closures to Impact Travel Across Gloucestershire and Beyond

Apr 24, 2025 09:44 AM

Hudson Valley Welcomes New Destination for Food and Wellness

Apr 24, 2025 07:27 AM

May Bus Strikes in West Scotland to Disrupt Travel Plans for Tourists

Apr 24, 2025 05:31 AM

Travelers Face Risk From AirAsia Identity Scam

Apr 23, 2025 19:29 PM

Lufthansa Group Rolls Out Easier Payment for Travelers

Apr 23, 2025 17:54 PM

Planning a Bus Journey in Wales Just Got Simpler

Apr 23, 2025 07:42 AM

Rovaniemi Airport Prepares for Winter Tourist Surge

Apr 23, 2025 05:28 AM

Temporary Rail Closure to Impact South Wales Travel

Apr 23, 2025 03:35 AM

Simplified Travel for Fans at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Apr 22, 2025 23:34 PM

More Direct Canada Flights Make Cross-Country and European Travel Easier

Apr 22, 2025 21:28 PM

Zürich Gains Popularity as Compact City Break Destination

Apr 22, 2025 18:41 PM

Flying with Large Dogs Brings Extra Rules and Planning for Travelers

Apr 22, 2025 16:36 PM

New Ritz-Carlton Campaign Embraces Travel With Purpose

Apr 21, 2025 23:56 PM

No More Surprises: Airbnb Reveals Full Prices in Search

Apr 21, 2025 21:32 PM

Stagecoach Enhances Travel Links Across Northern Highlands

Apr 21, 2025 19:25 PM

Rail Upgrades Reconnect Key Coastal Destinations

Apr 21, 2025 17:47 PM

AirAsia Promo Unlocks Cheaper Long-Haul Travel

Apr 21, 2025 14:33 PM

Liberation Day Closures to Disrupt Visitor Transport in Guernsey

Apr 20, 2025 23:45 PM

New Long-Haul Comforts from Riyadh Air

Apr 20, 2025 21:57 PM

Tourists Raise Red Flags Over Hawaii Reviews

Apr 19, 2025 23:44 PM

Luni Station Closure Disrupts Spring Travel

Apr 19, 2025 21:21 PM

Brussels Airport Revamp Will Shift Passenger Experience

Apr 19, 2025 19:58 PM

Wuxi Shuofang Airport to Close Temporarily for Maintenance

Apr 19, 2025 16:46 PM

Easter Rail Disruptions to Affect Northern England Routes

Apr 19, 2025 14:23 PM

Edinburgh Speeds Up Passenger Flow with Upgrades

Apr 19, 2025 12:39 PM

Malaysia Airlines Reinstates Brisbane Route with Expanded Regional Access

Apr 18, 2025 23:21 PM